Matrix-setting and type-linecasting machine



Oct. 9, 1934. 1 w. BLUME 1,976,158

MATRIX SETTING AND TYPE LINE CASTING MACHINE Filed April 5,1935 ZSheets-Sheet l fiwezzibr:

Oct. 9, 1934. w. BLUME MATRIX SETTING AND TYPE LINE CASTING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented (lot. 9, 1934 MATRIX-SETTING AND TYPE-LINE- CASTING MACHINE Wilhelm Blume, Berlin-Tegel, Germany, assigncr to firm Typograph G. in. b. 1-1., Berlin, Germany Application Aprilfi, 1933, Serial No. 664,632 In Germany May 24, 1932 3 Claims. '(Cl. 199-4) This invention relates to improvements in or modifications of the matrix-setting and type-linecasting machines according to U. S. A. application, Ser. No. 621,720 of 9th July, 1932, and working with or without circuit for the purpose or" any desired arrangement of the keyboard and to the simplification of the construction of such machines.

According to application, Ser. No. 621,720 the hand operated keys of the keyboard were connected to the matrix release devices either directly or through a mechanical driving device by means of Bowden cables, and this necessitated very long Bowden cables. The force required for the transmission of a pull or push by means of Bowden cables depends however to a great extent on the length of the cable as the friction to be overcome for its movement increases in the same ratio as its length, and moreover any bends of the cable also cause a further increase of friction. With Bowden cable connections between the keyboard and the release devices, the force to be used by the compositor in hand operation, with mechanical working of the machine, for the release of the matrices becomes therefore unnecessarily great. These drawbacks are eliminated by the present invention without forfeiting the advantages gained by the use of Bowden cables. The mobility of the keyboard and the free choice of its arrangement, and the visibility and simplicity of construction of the machine are retained, and the Bowden cables are shortened and thereby the force for the release of the matrices substantially reduced. These advantages are obtained by carrying the Bowden cables starting from the keyboard, first only to points situated outside the machine, from which it is possible to make a simple rectilinear connection to the matrix release devices. These points are chosen in such a manner that by connecting them in a straight line to the release devices, the visibility and simplicity of construction of the machines are in no way afiected, whilst owing to the use of Bowden cables for connecting the keyboard to the points in question, the simplest and most visible construction is ensured also for this part of the machine, more particularly as the Bowden cables can be laid in any desired manner outside the machine drive.

A construction according to the invention is diagrammatically shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the arrangement of the Bowden cables and intermediate members connecting the keys to the matrix release devices. I Figure 2 shows a set of intermediate members in elevation,

Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the arrangement according to Figure 1, with the key mecha nism in three different positions I, II, III.

According to the invention the Bowden cables 3 surrounded say by sheaths 2, lead first from the keyboard 1 f or instance to the end points of the arms 4 of hell crank levers 5 rotatably mounted on pins or bolts 8 secured to members 6, 7 arranged above the points of rest, preferably in a central position relatively to them. The free ends of the other'arms 9 of the bell crank levers 5 are connected for instance by means of wires, rods or cables 10 directly and in a straight line to the matrix release devices 11 and pass unsupported betwe en these parts. On each pivot pin 8 may be mounted several, for instance eight, bell crank levers other (see Fl 5 rotatable independently of one angure 2). In the construction shown the bell crank levers are arranged between the two members 6 and 7 secured to the machine bed, and the pins 8 are screwed fast into the bottom member 6 by means of the threaded portion 12. Between each two bell crank levers 5 is provided a distance washer 13 in order to ensure sufiicient space for the Bowden cables 3 and wires 10. Great importance is of course attached to easy mobility of all the parts, more particularly of the bell crank levers 5.

a bell crank of a matrix,

In Figure 3, the position of lever 5, corresponding to the release is indicated in chain dotted lines.

It is to be understood that without departing from the scope of the invention, the movements or" the ends of the Bowden cables 3 may be transmitted to the release devices 11 in any other desired manner.

The arrangement described makes it however further possible to limit to a minimum the longitudinal movement of the Bowden cables 3, required for the release of the matrices, independently of the greater movement required at the matrix release devices 11 for instance by making the two arms 4 and 9 of the bell crank levers 5 of different length. In the construction shown, the arms 9 of the bell crank levers 5, connected to the release devices 11, would have to be made therefore correspondingly longer than the arms 4 connected by the Bowden cables 3 to the keyboard In this way a gearing is introduced by the insertion of the bell crank levers 5 into the connections between the keyboard 1 and the release devices 11.

This gearing or ratio can be calculated in such a manner that with the least movement of the Bowden cables 3, that is to say with the least friction of the same or with the use of only a small force, the required substantially greater movement of the release devices 11 to be operated, will be produced.

Having now fully described the invention what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A matrix-setting and type-line-casting machine including in combination a frame, matrix supporting wires arranged above the frame, matrix release devices associated with the wires, an independent composing keyboard adapted to be fixed to a desired position on the frame, keys on the keyboard, Bowden cables extending from the keys, a secondary support above the frame, said matrix releasing devices being arranged on opposite sides of the secondary support, intermediate members in the form of bell-crank levers operably mounted on the support and each having one of their arms connected with the corresponding Bowden cables, connecting rods between other arms of each of the levers and the corresponding matrix release devices, and said rods being arranged in a straight line and unsupported through the space between the levers and matrix release devices.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bell crank levers have arms of unequal length, and that for the purpose of reducing the friction the shorter arms engage the Bowden cables coming from the keyboard mechanism, whilst the longer arms are connected with the rods leading to the matrix release devices.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary support consists of two vertically disposed members, a common pivot pin between said members a plurality of the bell crank levers being rockably mounted on the common pivot, and distance washers between said bell crank levers.

WILHELM BLUME. 

